Monday, December 31, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, we have a traveling gavel that we refer to as "The Judge." Where did it come from? Why do we call it "the Judge?" Here's the story.

"The Judge" was designed and created by William A. Treager, a member of Westmoreland Lodge 518 in Greensburg, and resident of the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. He and the members of The Roosters Woodworking Club created the gavel at the request of Pennsylvania DeMolay. It was first presented to Brother Justin Killian, State Master Councilor from 2004-2005, whose nickname was "The Judge," at the Installation and Institution of New Castle Builders Chapter in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Justin was a big contributor in forming New Castle Builders Chapter and had done a lot of work with the Chapters in Western Pennsylvania, which is why the gavel was presented from Erie, Lincoln, Westmoreland, Steel City, Lorraine, and Templar Chapters.Although presented to Justin, "The Judge" became the traveling gavel for Pennsylvania DeMolay since the presentation. Chapters would travel several miles to other Chapters in order to take the gavel home. "The Judge" is still active, so make sure your Chapter knows its whereabouts in order to make a trip to retrieve it.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

Today's post is our first that is provided by a guest writer. "Dad" Ed White, Chairman of the Advisory Council at Allentown Chapter has a unique memory from when he was an Active DeMolay.

One of my favorite moments from the first 100 years of DeMolay was my participation in the 60th Anniversary DeMolay Pilgrimage to Europe in the summer of 1979. We visited nine countries in 16 days!

A few of the highlights included visiting the very spot where Jacques DeMolay and Geoffrey de Charney were burned at the stake on an island in the Seine River in the heart of Paris, celebrating our Independence Day on a boat on the Rhine River in Germany on July 4th, celebrating Bastille Day (France’s Independence Day) in Paris on July 14, learning a few key words and phrases in every new country we visited from our multi-lingual tour guide, and meeting Freddy Mercury and Queen in our hotel in Munich, Germany.
We had a blast with then Grand Master C.C. "Buddy" Faulkner and the rest of the group, which included several DeMolays from Pennsylvania. At the bottom of the page is the group photo taken at the plaque commemorating DeMolay’s death, with my DeMolay pen pointed at me.

Standing just behind me off of my right shoulder is fellow Allentown Chapter Senior DeMolay Rich Schlauch, who was one of my best friends in high school, an officer in the Chapter, and my college roommate for three years at Lehigh University. Dad Faulkner is the tall man with white hair standing in the middle of the back row.

Three very memorable moments from the trip were visiting the DeMolay plaque in Paris, celebrating the Fourth of July on a boat in the Rhine River in Germany with the Grand Master, and meeting Freddy Mercury and Queen in the lobby of our hotel.
It is a trip I will never forget, and I hope to join the Centennial Pilgrimage next year!

Thank you "Dad" White for sharing this memory. If you would like to be a guest writer within the 100 memories segment, please send an email to JAPullin@pademolay.net.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

During the 2015-2016 PA DeMolay state term, State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard and his officers developed the concept for "Bro-Ties." The Bro-Tie was a bow tie with half of it a black bow tie, and the other half a red bow toe. The concept was to create a mentor for new DeMolays, having the experienced DeMolay member teach them the basics of the organization, from the meaning of the lessons of DeMolay to making him feel included within the Chapter.

The newly initiated member would receive a black bow tie. He would be paired with an experienced member of the Chapter to mentor him. The mentor would wear a red bow tie. After meeting certain expectations and filling out a form to be submitted to the office, the two would share parts of the bow tie, giving each of them a red and black "Bro-Tie."

This program continued on throughout State Master Councilor, Eric Dye's term, with the team simplifying the form needed to earn a Bro-Tie. This program was a successful way to increase the brotherhood initiative within DeMolay.

Friday, December 28, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

One of the many questions that we are faced with is "What is A DeMolay?" There are several ways to answer this question. Every DeMolay would have a different answer because DeMolay means something different to every individual.

Having the Keystone Crusader Archive at my leisure allows me to find several interesting articles from the past. Augusta Chapter once did a section in the newsletter answering their variation of the question "What is DeMolay?" Here is what they wrote.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is a proud supporter of PA DeMolay, and has been for many years. Often times, DeMolay has been credited as a starting point for men to become Masons. Although it is not a guarantee that a DeMolay will one day become a Mason, a good percentage of them do join a lodge.

Pennsylvania DeMolay has had three Senior DeMolays serve in the rank of Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The first, "Dad" John L. McCain, a Senior DeMolay from South Hills Chapter, served the Grand Lodge from 1976 to 1977. The second, "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson, a Senior DeMolay from McKinley Chapter, served the Grand Lodge from 1982 to 1983. The third, and most recent, "Dad" Edward H. Fowler Jr. from North Boroughs Chapter, served the Grand Lodge from 1992 to 1993. Several others have served as Advisors for DeMolay Chapters over the years.EDIT: It was brought to my attention that I missed a Grand Master, an oversight that I'd like to sincerely apologize for. "Dad" George H. Hohenshildt, who served as Grand Master from 1994-1995, was a Senior DeMolay of Pilgrim Chapter. His photo has been added to the bottom of the page.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

Yesterday, during our Holiday post, you may have recognized a familiar face wishing you a Happy Holidays. Yes, there was Santa Jacques and "Dad's" Williamson and Labagh, but I'm referring to the PA DeMolay Newsman.

As we celebrate 100 years of DeMolay, we can not discuss the history of PA DeMolay without talking about our very own newsman. The PA DeMolay Newsman worked for the Pennsylvania DeMolay Office to bring you the most accurate news. He traveled across the Jurisdiction and sometimes across state borders to provide the most accurate information possible. Although he remained in constant battles with the director and producers of the show, it did not stop him from doing his job, eventually.

Rumors indicate that the PA DeMolay Newsman has since retired to Florida in an effort to join a familiar Muppet family, although there is not enough evidence to support this claim. Wherever he may be, we thank you for your dedicated service to Pennsylvania DeMolay. Below are some photos of his journey and a few of his broadcasts.

Monday, December 24, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

Instead of a lengthy post about something from our past, lets just share some photos of cool DeMolay hats and fezzes. Here are a few, all of which can be found in the display cases at the Masonic Conference Center.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.In 1999, Pennsylvania DeMolay teamed up with New Jersey and Delaware DeMolay for a Tri-State Convention. The Convention was held at the Beach Terrace Hotel in Wildwood, New Jersey. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the 1999 Convention

Brother Rakesh Kumar of Allentown Chapter presided for Pennsylvania as the current State Master Councilor.

The newly elected State Master Councilor at Convention was Brother, and "Dad", Louis E. GrowMiller of Somerton Chapter. The rest of his officers were Deputy State Master Councilor, Walt Pietrowski; State Senior Councilor, Greg Deal; State Junior Councilor, William Wichterman; State Scribe, Ravi Shah; and State Treasurer, Brett Fisher. The State Sweetheart was Miss Meg Perla, representing Friendship-Bray Chapter.

"Dad" Dave Glattly, who is currently the Sovereign Grand Commander for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, was appointed as the Executive Officer of New Jersey DeMolay.

The 1999 Convention Yearbook was divided into 3 sections to accommodate all three Jurisdictions represented at Convention.

For other takeaways from the 1999 Convention, refer to the photos below.